Local Gardener, Drew Spellar wrote recently."From growing my own to working on some gardening projects for other people in my spare time; whether it's vegetables, herbs, flowers or my slowly expanding bonsai collection. Check out his website from our 'useful links' page. With formal training in the form of an RHS Level 2 as well as currently studying towards a Certificate in Herb Culture I enjoy taking on ad hoc projects as a sideline . Having specialised in herbs, I sell locally grown herbs as well as designing herb gardens. I am also a trustee of The Herb Society."Check out his website from our 'useful links' page in Gardeners Advice above.

"The Herb Society is an educational charity set up to promote the use and enjoyment of herbs. With a heritage which goes back over 90 years, we work to share knowledge as well as to bring together and represent those who have an interest in herbs for their health benefits through medicinal, culinary or practical use."

May 3rd Coach Trip to Crug Farm and Plas Brondanw garden, North Wales.

Crug Farm nursery. Home to Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones.Award winning plant hunters and conservationists.Bleddyn points out a plant to Bill.http://www.crug-farm.co.uk/

A sample of pictures from a Coach trip to Birmingham Botanic Gardens with Shropshire Hardy Plant Society. Some of our members are also members of this society and enjoy good talks and outings.The yellow tree in the last picture is the Mount Etna Broom and perfume is beautiful, drawing you to the tree like a moth. July 2016

The National Collection of Anthemis at Winterbourne House, Birmingham. July 2016

Clematis Margaret Hunt, not pruned this year and looking at its very best after a heavy shower. July 9th 2016

June 2016. On my way home from a visit to the Midlands I couldn't resist calling it to David Austin's Roses at Albrighton. http://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/?gclid=CLKDu_eevs0CFeYK0wodFtML1w Arriving just after a deluge the display garden was fresh and sparkling and everywhere was the delicious scent of roses. The garden must have been at its best and all the separate gardens were a treat, especially the walled gardens. See the picture below.Coming home from David Austin Roses, I couldn't resist taking this picture of Rhapsody in Blue at home which was also putting on a good show. A friend bought me this 'blue' rose saying that she knew I wouldn't have bought it myself. I've grown to love it now as the perfume is lovely and is near to the back door.

May 24th 2016 No Sprays HereToday I saw blue tits picking over the flower buds on the rose in front of my kitchen window and I'm so glad I don't worry about greenfly. The blue tit's babies will not go hungry today.Lovely aquilegia flowering in my shade garden.Sue B